Michelle Barker (born 1964) is a Canadian author, poet, editor, and educator. She writes for young adults, children, and adults, across historical fiction, fantasy, picture books, poetry, and non-fiction. She is a senior editor with the editing collective Darling Axe.
Early life and education Barker earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.
Career
Literary work Barker's young adult novel The House of One Thousand Eyes (2018, Annick Press) was named a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. She followed with My Long List of Impossible Things (2020, Annick Press) and the picture book A Year of Borrowed Men (2015, Pajama Press), which was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Her earlier works include The Beggar King (2013, Thistledown Press) and the poetry chapbook Old Growth, Clear-Cut: Poems of Haida Gwaii (2012, Leaf Press).
Reception and awards Barker won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award in 2019 for The House of One Thousand Eyes.
The House of One Thousand Eyes received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. It was also named to Kirkus Reviews''' list of Best Young Adult Books of 2018.A Year of Borrowed Men drew praise from Quill & Quire'' for its portrayal of wartime life through a child's perspective, and was a finalist for the 2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.
Other roles Barker works as a senior editor with the Darling Axe and contributes poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction to literary journals internationally.
Personal life She lives in Vancouver, Canada, and participates in triathlons when not writing.
Works Title Year Publisher Genre Old Growth, Clear-Cut: Poems of Haida Gwaii 2012 Leaf Press Poetry / Chapbook The Beggar King 2013 Thistledown Press Fantasy A Year of Borrowed Men 2015 Pajama Press Picture book / Historical fiction The House of One Thousand Eyes 2018 Annick Press Young adult / Historical fiction My Long List of Impossible Things 2020 Annick Press Young adult / Historical fiction
References
External links Michelle Barker at Darling Axe Darling Axe – Our Editors "Amy Mathers Teen Book Award" – Canadian Children's Book Centre (past winners list) Quill & Quire – Michelle Barker author page About Michelle Barker – author official site